Evil-merodach (ç'vil-me-rô'dak), Merodach's fool. But perhaps some name of Persian or Assyrian origin underlies this. The son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar. He reigned two years, 561-559 b.c., and was murdered by Nergal-sharezer or Neriglissar, who had married his sister, and who seized his crown. He treated Jehoiachin with kindness: and possibly his mildness of rule may have given opportunity to the treason which cut him off. 2 Kings 25:27-30; Jeremiah 52:31-34. But some authorities report him to have been luxurious and intemperate.